[HSF] Routine closure of the left atrial appendage?

[Nasser F. Abou'Seada]

I do obliterate the LAA from inside the LA in cases of MVD, but not as a
routine in cases of other valves' procedures or non valve procedures. Surely
I do share the concept that the LAA is there for a reason that we might know
a part of it, and probably need to know more about it. I remove it for a
reason in anti-AF procedures only. same thing I do with the RAA in
cannulation of the RA. always preserve it unless meant to obliterate  it. a
concept I was long taught.

NFA


On 7/18/07, Tea Acuff <tacuff at swbell.net> wrote:
>
> I do it occasionally if there is a history or actual fib and I don't want
> to add an ablation.
> We have discussed this before, but the operative description probably is
> not "easily" but "timorously".
>
> tea
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: "Wertheimer MD, Mark" <mwertheimer at mahealthcare.com>
> To: OpenHeart-L at lists.hsforum.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 12:16:23 PM
> Subject: [HSF] Routine closure of the left atrial appendage?
>
>
> Given the substantial incidence of atrial fibrillation following cardiac
> surgery, and the frequent need to place many of these patients on
> Coumadin anticoagulation to reduce the risks of embolic stroke, has
> anyone gone to routinely closing off the left atrial appendage with all
> cardiac surgeries?  It can be easily done with the use of the noncutting
> endo- stapling device.
>
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